Nacho Monreal Joins Arsenal As Kieran Gibbs Is Ruled Out For A Month

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has confirmed new signing Nacho Monreal could make his debut against Stoke on Saturday but revealed Kieran Gibbs will be out for "longer than expected".

The Gunners broke with tradition to make a last-minute purchase on deadline day as they brought in 26-year-old Monreal for £6m after Gibbs suffered a thigh injury at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

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Monreal is the third Spaniard in Arsenal's squad

Gibbs was ruled out for "four to six weeks by Wenger", who cautioned that the England full-back's spell on the sidelines "could easily go up to eight weeks".

"Our scouts have followed him [Monreal] for a while and we had a blow with the Gibbs injury," Wenger said at his press conference on Friday. "Monreal will add quality to our squad and of course, to our defensive unit. We all look forward to him playing for us."

Monreal is Arsenal's second signing from Málaga this season after Santi Cazorla

Monreal made his debut for Spain in a 2009 friendly against Macedonia and has gone on to win nine caps for the national side, and Wenger emphasised the importance of cover at full-back when he was drawn onto Gibbs' injury.

"I believe we need two left backs. We had two before, we have two again now because Gibbs is out.

"Gibbs will be out for longer than expected. It will be four to six weeks."

Gibbs boasts an infamous injury record with Arsenal

A number of defensive collapses left Arsenal 2-0 down during their midweek game with Liverpool, only for Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott to register a draw. Wenger felt his side were "too nervous" at the back in the game, something which has become an alarming trait in recent fixtures.

The Frenchman was also asked about the extraordinary Peter Odemwingie ordeal on deadline day, when the West Brom striker arrived at QPR's training ground only to be refused entry into the premises.

"That was quite strange. Sometimes the players are told wrong information and he looked a bit lost there," Wenger remarked.

"But I wouldn't put the blame on Odemwingie and it must be down to who advised him."